Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri says the Ballon d'Or award he received last year could not compensate for missing so much football through injury.

The 29-year-old was out for most of last season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and, although he picked up the most coveted individual award in world football a month after being sidelined, it could not fully offset his disappointment.

"The injury is much more significant than the Ballon d'Or. It was a breath of fresh air at a time when I was having a really hard time," he told a news conference ahead of Spain's World Cup qualifier in Turkey .

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